Taking an Official Language Exam after Duolingo (with Add-on?)

Someone asked on Reddit what level can be reached using Duolingo. In the EU, people are used to getting a quick and meaningful answer to this question, as almost all textbooks and language classes refer to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), largely advertising which level they are aiming at, and all official language exams throughout the EU are based on the standardized CEFR levels and level descriptions. This makes it easy to identify the appropriate textbook you need to study in order to be able to pass a certain exam, or to know which exam you have a chance of passing after completing whatever material you're working on, or, through the self-evaluation guide, to tell potential employers something more meaningful than "advanced level".

It's not just for Europeans though - if you're American and you want to have your German/French/Spanish officially tested and get a certificate for it, you'd likely go to the Goethe Institut, the Alliance Française, the Istituto Cervantes - and they test according to the CEFR. All around the world you can take these official standardized CEFR-based tests.

To cut to the chase, it seems that a B1-level exam should be possible after studying Duolingo, but it requires some extra practise particularly when it comes to conversations and listening comprehension.

Then I thought: what if we provided add-on materials for Duolingo that would aim to fix these weaknesses? Materials that look at what Duolingo teaches and then teach everything that people still need to know in order to pass the standardized B1 exam? Or, once Duolingo adds more vocabulary, the B2 exam even?

This would be material that doesn't fit the current Duolingo format, for example conversation scripts and audio recordings in a variety of human voices, or advice on how to master the written assignments, tailored specifically to people graduating from Duolingo.

We are actually working towards offering students the possibility of taking a standardized test whenever they want (for free) in exchange for us getting to know the score. The test we plan to offer is accepted in US universities as a placement exam. So you'll get a free placement exam, and we'll get data that helps us measure and improve how well we teach every language.

That's a neat idea, and generous of you. Unfortunately WebCAPE isn't known in Europe; European universities generally want to see CEFR certificates, or, failing that, you have to do their language exam. Same if you apply for a visa or for citizenship.

The difference between WebCAPE and the CEFR exams is that WebCAPE tests knowledge, while the CEFR exams attempt to test abilities. This reflects different needs: American universities want to know what you have been taught already so that they can decide what to teach you next. European universities / governments / employers want to know to what extent you can function in your target language, whether you'll be able to integrate in society, follow lectures in your target language etc. On average there is some correlation between knowledge of a language and ability in it, but it's not absolute: some people can easily get by on 1000 words while others are still tongue-tied with 5000.

I'd do that. Would find it interesting, if it was a real test, not just multiple choice. Though I use Duolingo only as part of my spanish learning; I use Pimsleur for vocal practice, and do a huge amount of radio listening and newspaper reading. So I don't know what you'd learn from your tests unless you asked takers to describe all of their language learning activities.

That is an excellent idea! I am currently learning Spanish, in the hopes of being able to using it on the job one day. For this, I'd certainly need to know my CEFR level, so it would be great if Duolingo offered CEFR exams. I one took some Spanish lessons at a sort of community college, which also taught according to CEFR levels and provided useful audio CDs with conversations.
I could provide materials for German lessons, seeing as German is my native language.

You guys are simply amazing with ever amazing ideas. I'm learning French on duolingo for professional reasons, which means I have to appear in one of the tests eventually (planning 6 months down the road). The idea of appearing for tests on this platform is truly remarkable!

Would definitely use the WebCAPE test more than once to: 1. check on my progress, 2. as a rough preparedness guide for recognized CEFR-level exams.
Thanks again to the people behind duoLingo for all these wonderful features.

Brilliant idea; I for one would be delighted, even though living in Europe my main objective is to establish how my language level fits within the EU-accepted classification. But great idea all the same. Go ahead, you know you want to...